Tag: family link

Google launches new supervision tools for parents

Google has announced new tools for parents to help manage their child’s devices with Google Family Link.

Family Link’s new design is more intuitive for parents to use and navigate. A new Screen Time tab consolidates all screen-time management tools in a single, easily accessible place. In addition to the app and device-specific usage summary and time limits, the Screen Time tab also makes it easier for parents to set and adjust Downtime and School time.

Google advised that parents will find managing their child’s account, privacy settings and content filters is now easier than ever on the Controls tab. They have streamlined key controls so parents have what they need right at their fingertips, including the ability to manage account data settings, approve app downloads and block specific websites.

Juggling multiple kids and their devices is also getting easier. Simply swipe between child profiles and manage devices from a single page, with more advanced settings just a tap away.

The School time feature was brought to the Fitbit ACE LTE and Samsung Galaxy Watch for Kids as a way to help minimise distractions on smartwatches for children during school hours. From next week, Google will roll out School time support for Android phones and tablets as well.

School time can help reduce distractions, by scheduling limited phone functionality and silenced notifications during school hours. If there is a holiday or planned day off, or even just planned lunches, parents can easily adjust the settings and set a “Break” to fit their children’s schedules.

Parents can choose the apps that are silenced and restricted, and learn which apps their child uses while in School time or outside of it. Google noted that there are times when certain apps are useful for studying, which is why parents can choose a set of allowed apps, and select which are allowed during School time or in other selected modes.

Galaxy Watch for Kids launched with lots of new features for kids and parents. In the coming months, Google will be bringing the ability for parents to approve contacts for kids to call and text to Android phones, too. Parents can add these contacts from Family Link directly to their child’s device and limit calls and texts to only those approved contacts. Children can also request to add new contacts to be approved by parents in Family Link.

To learn more about how Google is helping families more safely explore online, visit families.google.

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Google announces new settings and features to help parents, teens and families navigate safer experiences online

Parents  think deeply about how their children should use technology, including how to strike the right balance for time spent online. Every family has different needs and perspectives on this topic. Today, Google is announcing a new setting for Android phones and other devices that empowers parents to use a School time feature.

Helping students focus on learning during school hours

Google regularly engages with parents when designing products, and often hears directly from parents who do not want their children distracted at school but still want to be able to get in touch in case of emergency.

That’s why this year Google has introduced School time on Fitbit Ace LTE smartwatches. Over the next year, School time will be rolled out to even more devices including select Android phones, tablets and wearables including Samsung Galaxy Watches as part of ongoing work to promote productive learning environments.

School time enables parents to set their child’s personal device to a dedicated home screen with limited functionality during school hours, which helps reduce distractions during class. Parents can schedule and select which apps are allowed during School time in Family Link, the parental controls app for Google and YouTube. Parents will also have the option to allow calls or texts from specific contacts.

School time can also be turned on outside of class when it may be time to focus or take a break from screens. For teens who are not supervised by a parent through Family Link, Focus mode on Android devices can be used to prevent notifications and limit distractions during a specific time period.

Additional settings for teens and teen supervision

As children grow into teens, parents may want different supervision options to better reflect their teens’ understanding and use of technology. Recognising that the settings a family wants to use can differ by age and developmental stage Google is continuing to provide tailored settings and experiences:

  • New supervision features for parents of teens are coming to YouTube. In an update rolling out later this summer, parents and teens will be able to link their accounts, enabling parents to gain visibility into their teens’ activity and interests on YouTube.

  • In Family Link, supervision can be enabled for all ages. This helps give parents flexibility to determine the apps, products and experiences their teens can use, while also continuing to monitor their activity and set digital ground rules such as screen time limits or location sharing.

  • Default safety settings for all users under 18. This includes turning SafeSearch on, implementing content restrictions and turning autoplay off on YouTube. Recently introduced new safeguards limit recommendations of videos with content that could be problematic, especially for teens, if viewed in repetition –  such as content related to body image.

Ongoing investment in parental controls

Google is continuously investing in research and development to address the evolving needs of parents and children. By working closely with experts in child development, education and technology, with the goal to help ensure that time online and offline is time well spent.